MA Dance and Somatic Wellbeing: Connections to the Living Body is a unique pioneering programme offering a professional training in Dance and Somatic Movement Education. The programme explores improvisational movement forms underpinned by somatic awareness. Focusing on community facilitation, this programme offers the opportunity to study individual and group improvisation, kinaesthetic awareness and applied somatics philosophy to dance and movement studies. Sessions are taught in the spirit of self-discovery and non-judgmental movement modalities.  MA Dance and Somatic Wellbeing is an Approved Somatic Movement Training Programme of: The International Somatic Movement Education Therapy Association (ISMETA). MA graduates are qualified to a register as a Somatic Movement Educator. 

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

2010 places may still be available please contact our course enquiries team regarding entry requirements as these may differ from 2011.

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses vary and you are advised to check below for any specific requirements or with Enquiry Management. Normally the following general entry requirements apply:

Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates and Conversion Courses:
A recognised British first degree or its equivalent, or a BTEC Higher Diploma/Certificate.

Taught Masters Courses:
A recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent. Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme or work proposed. Informal enquiries are welcomed and will normally be followed by an initial advisory interview.

The Dance & Somatic Well-being programme is suited to mature graduates who are interested in the health, communal, and transformative aspects of dance.  We are looking for students from various disciplinary backgrounds; such as: Dance Studies, Counselling, Alternative Therapies, and Teaching. Students from other vocational and academic backgrounds are welcome to apply.  Normally students would be expected to have achieved a good lower second class bachelor degree in a related area of practical study.  In exceptional circumstances and after audition/ interview, a place may be offered if it is considered that a candidate can evidence sufficient experiential learning.  As this course is at postgraduate level, the interview panel must be convinced that the successful candidates are capable of engaging appropriately both physically and intellectually.  Upon application, students will be required to attend an interview and somatic workshop.  Offers are made subject to successful interview/ workshop. 

We are looking for adventurous mature people who want to further their careers and develop dance as a transformational tool in contemporary contexts.  All students applying for a place on this course will need to undergo an enhanced CRB check.  International applicants are required to have achieved an IELTS of 6.5 or above.  If you are interested in applying for this course, our comprehensive How to apply pages will guide you through the process. Here at UCLan, our aim is to encourage you to develop your potential and we offer a flexible approach to admissions, which reflects our commitment to all those who would benefit from our courses.

CRB Checks

This course may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, also known as regulated activity. Where this is the case, students will be legally required to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) which is administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). Following successful registration individuals will be issued with an ISA Registration Number which will stay with that person for the rest of their career. If you are not already registered, UCLan will take you through the process.

Course Content

Study in the first year focuses on different elements of international practice such as fluidity and movement, consciousness of the skeletal musculature, movement and metaphor and non-judgemental movement modalities. The concept of bodily support is studied in relation to community and through individual practice. Research methodologies and philosophies pertaining to somatics and movement studies are introduced and applied in the second year. The second focuses on synthesising and deepening knowledge through experiential learning. Cross curricular learning is encouraged throughout.

The course covers the following within and across modular study: 

• Presence, Kinaesthesia & Meta-Kinesis
• Dance, Connection and Support
• Dance and Fluid Transitioning
• Dance and the Skeletal Muscular System
• Dance & Relaxation
• Re-formations of the Sacred
• Soma and Phenomenology
• Somatic Movement Education and Co-creation with Clients
• Somatic Research
• Philosophy and research methodologies
  

Course at a Glance

Assessment:

Assessment takes place through a wide variety of modes and may include teaching facilitation, essays and other written assessments, class presentations and a research project. The course is predominantly practice based - all learning is facilitated through experiential models and supported by contextual study.

Learning Environment:

The programme is delivered by lectures, seminars, tutorials and studio work. Given this is a body-based course most classes take place in the studio where creative ideas are explored through movement and dance. We provide a lively learning environment and encourage students to participate actively in all aspects of the course delivery. Assessment includes teaching examinations, essays and other written assessments, class presentations and a research project. Theory is largely delivered through practical exploration in the studio.  Theoretical and contextual work is further supported though lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Careers:

Validated by UCLan as a Masters of Arts level course of study and by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA), this programme is both academic and a professional training ground for teachers and professionals of all kinds to enhance their personal and inter-personal work skills. 

Money Matters

Most graduates of this University are entitled to a 20% reduction on tuition fees for our postgraduate courses, if self-funding.

Details of current fees are available from Enquiry Management,
University of Central Lancashire,
Preston,
PR1 2HE,
United Kingdom,
01772 892400.

Gilbertson Excellence Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to UCLan undergraduates in their final year of study in 2009-10 who want to continue their studies at postgraduate level, either on a full time or part time taught programme eg MA or MSc, or on a research programme such as an MPhil in the 2010-11 academic year. These awards worth £3,390 towards tuition fees are available to Home/EU students achieving a first class honours degree at UCLan in 2009-10 and are subject to specific terms and conditions.